A Clandestine Conversation

Writers: Estelle, Devin
Date Posted: 26th February 2026

Characters: Z'ku, M'gan, L'mel, G'ramil, S'zor, J'kion
Description: A group of bronzeriders make plans to unseat N'vanik.
Location: Dolphin Cove Weyr
Date: month 12, day 15 of Turn 12
Notes: Mentioned: N'vanik, Cyradis, D'hol

Z'ku

A restless tension filled the weyr as they waited for more arrivals. J'kion wondered how many of those who'd agreed to come would actually show up. When the door opened again, he looked up and smiled as the former Wingleader stepped in. "Ah, M'gan. Glad to see you could make it."

"Wingsecond J'kion." M'gan greeted the bronzerider. He'd been uncertain about whether to come or not, but in the end the frustrations of the past sevendays - drilling with the Wing he'd once led, the humiliating tour of meetings that N'vanik had insisted on - had driven him out of his own weyr to the meeting he'd been quietly informed of. His glance took in the others in J'kion's living space. "I see we're not the only ones." That was both a relief and a concern, that this was more than the grumbling of a few resentful riders.

Z'ku nodded to M'gan. He felt more than a little guilty about being here. Xemroth had been sired by Loseth and planning to unseat him felt disloyal. But N'vanik had gone too far. First his shocking behavior at the last two Hatchings, and now telling the blue and greenriders about timing it.

"Many people think Dolphin Cove is due for a change." J'kion gestured toward an open chair. "Please have a seat."

M'gan sat down next to the young bronzerider, Z'ku, and looked around at the others. Some of the faces weren't much of a surprise; he'd heard G'ramil, who'd retired from his Wing last Turn, complaining about how a bluerider had been chosen to lead Lightning over him, and S'zor never shut up about how he'd have been a sure favorite to win the Weyrleadership if N'vanik hadn't showed up to Nyith's flight. But he'd considered L'mel stolid and unimaginative, not the sort to join a conspiracy.

"It's true," he said. "I'm not against change, not at all, when it's sensible and well thought out. But some of the recent decisions have thrown the Weyr into chaos."

"Exactly." J'kion nodded. "He lets his personal feelings and desires cloud his judgement, time and again."

"He's always been like that," S'zor grumbled. "Do you know he only came here because he was sleeping with Traelyn and thought it would give him an advantage?"

J'kion held back a sigh. "Which is why someone more responsible and level-headed should be Weyrleader. I think our first order of business should be deciding which of us is the best choice for using any of the advantages we discover."

"Not me." Z'ku shook his head. "Weyrleadership is my goal but I know with my age and experience, I'm not ready. M'gan would be a good choice."

"Thank you," M'gan said, somewhat surprised - and pleased - to be nominated by the young bronzerider. It was good to know his trip /between/ times hadn't completely sullied his reputation. "I would be honored to serve the Weyr. Still, neither Isarth nor I are as young as we once were, so perhaps we'd better have one or two others in mind to give ourselves the best possible chance on the day."

"J'kion has shown leadership in calling this meeting today," G'ramil said. He was a decade older than M'gan and knew his age would likely rule him out, though he could have wished M'gan hadn't brought it up. He turned to the Wingsecond. "You'd have my support."

"Thank you." J'kion inclined his head, grateful that he wouldn't have to nominate himself.

"What about me?" S'zor said. "Kugath almost caught Panitath last time! He's always close." This was not, in fact, true.

M'gan had missed Panitath's last flight so he'd no idea of the accuracy of that statement, but what he knew of S'zor was not favorable. If he was going to do this, though, he couldn't afford to alienate his fellow bronzeriders, and so he replied diplomatically. "Of course. Your insights on how to win her would be most valuable."

"Thank you." S'zor nodded to the older rider, glad that at least someone recognized his potential.

J'kion thought it was probably best not to argue. He didn't like including S'zor, the man would likely be _worse_ than N'vanik, but his bronze had been in every chase and he could prove to have valuable information. Besides that, S'zor was likely to cause a lot of drama if he was denied. Let him feel special, and hope it didn't bite them in the ass. "That would give us three solid chances for success, if everyone is agreed?"

There were nods around the room, and L'mel spoke up. "I agree. I don't want to lead myself, but I'm tired of all the reckless change and disrespect for our traditions. N'vanik was a good Weyrleader in the past, but his long time in power has gone to his head." He paused, then spoke slowly. "I've thought carefully over what I remember of Panitath's flights. In my opinion, her strength and skill mean that she's able to choose the bronze she favors. She doesn't make mistakes or tire before her chasers. We must make sure that one of our three is in the lead when the time comes...and that Loseth is not."

Z'ku's stomach tightened. Trying to give another bronze an advantage was one thing, but he didn't at all like the idea of some kind of . . . of sabotage. "Xemroth nearly caught her once. And once she chose Yumath but Loseth caught her instead. A clever bronze _could_ outsmart her."

"No bronze but Loseth has actually managed it, though. Not for Turns." G'ramil frowned.

"The senior queen's flight attracts many chasers," L'mel said carefully. "Sometimes the path to the head of the pack can be...crowded."

"Do you remember how Xemroth managed to get close?" M'gan turned to Z'ku, not entirely comfortable with the turn the discussion was taking either. It sounded dangerous at the best of times, and in the heat of a mating flight... "Or why she favored Yumath?"

"I heard Weyrwoman Cyradis had some kind of relationship with D'hol, so that might have been rider preference," Z'ku said. "Though he made Weyrleader at Barrier Lake later, so it proves she has good judgement. Xemroth usually manages to get close near the end. He's very determined," he said with pride. "Panitath called him brave once."

"The time he almost caught her . . ." Z'ku closed his eyes, concentrating. "Xemroth had moved above her and dropped down as she was moving toward another male. A brown I think? Xemroth was _so_ close." The young man opened his eyes and shook his head. "But Loseth grabbed her instead."

"Dannvith hasn't quite been that close, but she's given him considering looks before," J'kion said. "She likes to test them, like any good Queen. Shakes off the lesser males before she goes for that last climb. She seems to favor determination and cleverness as much as sheer strength."

"Then we should encourage our dragons to watch for an opportunity, rather than making a move too early," M'gan summarized. "Look for gaps and moves that others haven't thought of to catch her eye, as Xemroth did, and - not get in each others' way." It was all good advice to catch any experienced queen, but would it be enough? "What do you think, S'zor?"

"We need to chart out the ends of the flights, to the best we can all remember," S'zor said. "I'm not having another Turn of N'vanik's antics."

"Nor me," G'ramil grumbled. "He put the retired Wing's leadership to a vote. A vote! The silliest green had the same say as a bronzerider with decades of experience. I hope that whoever wins will be reversing that decision."

"Yes, and that they'll remember who helped them," L'mel added, eyeing each of the three bronzeriders meaningfully.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves." M'gan felt the discussion veering off course, and again he had an uneasy sense about the others in the room. Besides J'kion and Z'ku, he wasn't sure he'd have trusted any of them with a promotion. "S'zor's suggestion makes sense. Panitath is clever, but she'll still have her favorite moves at the end of the flight. If we identify the three most likely, we can be prepared for whatever happens."

"We'll put Dolphin Cove on the right track." J'kion couldn't wait to see the look on N'vanik's face when he lost. He didn't even care much whether it was himself or M'gan who won.

Last updated on the March 19th 2026

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